Article

The Importance of Having a Relationship with Your Oncologist

The relationship between a patient and an oncologist needs to be a very open one, says oncologist Heather Wakelee, associate professor of oncology at the Stanford University Medical Center.

The relationship between a patient and an oncologist needs to be a very open one, says oncologist Heather Wakelee, associate professor of oncology at the Stanford University Medical Center.

"It's important that it's a partnership," she says. In her own practice, she welcomes and encourages patient input into their own care.

She also recommends that patients talk to their oncologist if they are exploring alternative therapies, because some types of complementary and alternative therapies can interact with traditional cancer treatments.

Related Videos
Image of a woman with short brown hair, wearing glasses.
Image of man with brown hair.
Image of woman with blonde hair.
Image of a woman with brown shoulder-length hair, wearing a khaki colored blazer.
Image of a man wearing a black button-up shirt.
Image of man with black hair.
Image of a man with dark hair and some facial hair.
Image of a man with blond facial hair.
Image of woman with blonde hair.